Mono-fin with flexible boot structures

ABSTRACT

A mono-fin for swim training is disclosed. The mono-fin has two separated boot structures that from two separate foot cavities for holding feet with toes positioned in front regions of each of the boot structures and heels positioned at back regions of each of the boot structures. The mono-fin has a mono-fin structure with blades portions connecting the boot structure through the front regions of each of the boot structures. In a middle region of the mono-fin structure and between the blade portions, there is flex region. The flex region allows angles between the boot structures, distances between the back regions of the boot structures and angles between the blade portions to be changed simultaneously by a swimmer while swim training in an aquatic environment.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/602,229, filed on Aug. 30, 2019, and titled “MONO-FIN WITH FLEXIBLE BOOT STRUCTURES”, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/731,785, filed on Jul. 31, 2017, and titled “MONO-FIN WITH FLEXIBLE BOOT STRUCTURES”, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from the U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/494,465, filed on Aug. 10, 2016, and titled “MONO-FIN WITH FLEXIBLE BOOT STRUCTURES.”

The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/602,229, filed on Aug. 30, 2019, and titled “MONO-FIN WITH FLEXIBLE BOOT STRUCTURES”, the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/731,785, filed on Jul. 31, 2017, and titled “MONO-FIN WITH FLEXIBLE BOOT STRUCTURES” and the provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/494,465, filed on Aug. 10, 2016, and titled “MONO-FIN WITH FLEXIBLE BOOT STRUCTURES” are all incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mono-fins used in water related activities including swim training, snorkeling and scuba diving.

BACKGROUND ON INVENTION

Swimfins, fins or flippers are fin-like accessories worn on the foot or leg and made from rubber, plastic or combinations of these materials, to aid movement through the water in water sports activities such as swimming, body-boarding, body-surfing, knee-boarding, river-boarding, underwater hockey, underwater rugby, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Swimfins help the wearer to move through water more efficiently, as human feet are too small and inappropriately shaped to provide much thrust, especially when the wearer is carrying equipment that increases hydrodynamic drag. Very long fins and mono-fins provide underwater propulsion and do not require high frequency leg movement. This improves efficiency and helps to minimize oxygen consumption. Short, stiff-bladed fins are effective for short bursts of acceleration and for maneuvering.

Swim training fins have unique properties to help enforce or train swimmers to kick more efficiently and/or exercise targeted muscle groups to improve endurance and swim techniques. One such swimfin is commonly referred to as a mono-fin. A mono-fin has one or two boot structures that secure to both feet of a swimmer and allows the swimmer to simultaneously kick with both legs through a kick stroke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a mono-fin for swim training. The mono-fin of the present invention has two boot structures for inserting feet. The two boot structures have strap features that are permanently attached to the boot structures or have release features, such as buckles, clips, snaps and the like. With the strap features in a closed position, the boot structures and the strap features form cavities for holding swimmer's feet. Both of the boot structures are coupled to a mono-fin structure at front portions of the each of the boot structures. The mono-fin structure has two blade portions with a flex region positioned in front of each of the boot structures and centrally positioned between the two blade portions. The flex region allows angles between the boot structures and distances between back portions of the boot structures to be changed while swim training. As described below, the entire mono-fin is flexible so a full compliment of rotational angles between the boot structures are available and bend angles between the flex regions are available to a swimmer practicing swim kicks during swim training. It is understood that swim training, herein refers to training activities that take place while swimming in an aquatic environment.

The flex region or central flex region refers to a region in the middle of the mon-fin structure and between the two blade portions. The flex region can be or can include a living hinge, an elastic stretch region and/or include swivel features, such as pins attached through plates and the like. Preferably, the flex region or central flex region is more flexible that other portions of the mono-fin structure, such that the mono-fin structure and be folded or bent through a range of angles and the boot structures can be moved through a range of angles while swim training or swimming in an aquatic environment.

In accordance with a preferred embedment of the invention the mon-fin is monolithic. Monolithic means, herein, that the boot structures and the mono-fin structure are formed by molding the boot structures and the mono-fin structure as a single unit using a suitable polymeric material such as rubber, plastic or silicon in contrast the being formed in separate pieces that are then assembled. The mono-fin structure preferably has a dual protrusion structure with one protrusion feature positioned near front portions of each boot structures and a valley or V-shaped indentation positioned in front of the flex region or central flex region.

In operation a swimmer places his or her feet into the boot cavities of the boot structures with his or her toes positioned at or near front toe regions and with strap features wrapped behind his or her ankles. The swimmer can then practice kick strokes in an aquatic environment (viz, while swimming) with both legs simultaneously and while changing the angles between the boot structures (his or her feet), while changing distance between back portions of the boot structures and strap features (his or her foot heals) and/or while changing bending the mon-fin structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a schematic representation of a mono-fin for swim training with a flex region and boot structures that allow a swimmer to practice kick strokes in water while simultaneously changing the angles between the boot structures, while changing distance between back portions of the boot structures and strap features and/or while changing bending the mon-fin structure, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic representation of a living hinge positioned in the middle of the mono-fin structure and between the two blade portions of the mono-fin illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 2A-C show views of a mono-fin for swim training with a flex region that allow a swimmer to practice kick strokes in water while simultaneously changing the angles between the boot structures, while changing distance between back portions of the boot structures and strap features and/or while changing bending the mon-fin structure, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a monolithic mono-fin for swim training, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a mono-fin 50 with movable or adjustable and separate boot structures 25 and 25′. The mono-fin has foot cavities 23 and 23′ formed by the boot structures 25 and 25′ and back supports or straps 22 and 22′. The mono-fin 50 also has a fin structure formed form two blade portions 31 and 33. The blade portions 31 and 33 are connected together through a flex regions 11 positioned in the middle of the mono-fin structure and between the two blade portions 31 and 33. The flex region 11 can be or can include a living hinge, such as illustrated in FIG. 1B, which allow the blade portions 31 and 33 to fold or bend through a range of angles, represented by 43, while practicing kick strokes while swimming in an aquatic environment.

FIG. 1B illustrates side view of the living hinge 11 centrally positioned between the two blade portions 31 and 33 that allows the blade portions 31 and 33 to fold or bend through a range of angles, represented by 43 and as described above and below.

In operation a use a swimmer inserts his or her feet into the foot cavities 23 and 23′ of boot structures 25 and 25′, such that their toes are near front portions or toe regions 24 and 24′ of the of the boot structures 25 and 25 and with back supports or straps 22 and 22′ wrapped around their heals. The swimmer than can practice kick strokes while swimming and move the boots through a range of angles, as indicated by 37 and 39, move the boot structures 25 and 25′ through a range of distances, as indicated by 41 and change the angles between the blade portion 31 and 33, as indicated by 43.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-C, the mono-fin 100 of the present invention has two separated boot structures 125 and 125′ for inserting feet (not shown) with the toes positioned in front regions or portions 124 and 124′ of each of the boot structures 125 and 125′ and with heels positioned at back regions 122 and 122′ of each of the boot structures 125 and 125′. The two boot structures 125 and 125′ are separated in the sense that foot cavities 123 and 123′ formed by the boot structures 125 and 125′ are capable of being moved, as described in detail above and below.

The boot structures 125 and 125′ preferably have strap features 127 and 127′ that are permanently attached to the back portions or back regions 122 and 122′ of the boot structures 125 and 125′ and helps secure the feet within the foot cavities 123 and 123′. Alternatively, the boot structures 125 and 125′ include strap features 127 and 127′ that have release features, such as buckles, clips, snaps and the like. Whether the strap features 127 and 127′ are fixed, adjustable and/or removable, with the strap features 127 and 127′ in a closed position as shown, the boot structures 125 and 125′ along with the strap features 127 and 127′ form two separate cavities 123 and 123′ for holding a swimmer's feet with toes positioned near the front portions or toe regions 124 and 124′ and heels positioned the back regions 122 and 122′ of each of the boot structures 125 and 125′.

Both of the boot structures 125 and 125′ are coupled to a mono-fin structure 101 at or near front portions of each of the boot structures 125 and 125′. The mono-fin structure 101 is formed from two blade portions 131 and 133 and has a flex region 109 centrally positioned between two blade portions 131 and 133. The flex region 109 allows angles 37 and 39 (FIG. 1A), angles 43 (FIG. 1A) between the two blade portions 131 and 133 and distances 103, 103′ and 103″ between back portions 122 and 122′ of the boot structures 125 and 125′ to be changed while practicing kick strokes and simultaneously while swim training within an aquatic environment, such as a pool, lake, ocean or other body of water.

The flex region 109 can include a living hinge 111, or an elastic stretch region and/or include swivel features, such as pins 111 attached through plates and the like. However, as sated above the mono-fin formed from the boot structures 125 and 125′, the two blade portions 131 and 133 and the flex region 109 are preferably molded from polymeric materials such as rubber or silicon as a single unit and, hence is a monolithic mono-fin. While the mon-fin is preferably monolithic, the flex region 109 can be formed from the same or different materials than that of the rest of the mono-fin 100 using co-molding technologies such that the flex region 109 softer and/or more elastic than other portions or regions of the mono-fin structure 101.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a mono-fin 200 in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. The mono-fin includes a mono-fin structure 251 with two blade portions 208 and 208′ that are coupled through a centrally located flex region 209 that is, for example, a living hinge. As described above the mono-fin 200 is preferably monolithic.

The two blade portions 208 and 208′ and the flex region 209 from a valley or V-shaped indentation 220 as shown. Mono-fin 200 also includes two boot structures 225 and 225′ with front toe regions 231 and 231′ and back strap features 222 and 222′. Between the two boot structures 225 and 225′ and the back strap features 222 and 222′ the are foot cavities 223 and 223′ for inserting feet with toes positioned near the front toe regions 231 and 231′ and heels of the feet secured around back strap features 222 and 222′. The mono-fin structure 251 is coupled to or molded to the front toe regions 231 and 231′ at or near to the front toe regions 231 and 231′, as shown.

In operation a swimmer inserts his or her feet into the foot cavities 223 and 223′ formed between the boot structures 225 and 225′ and the back strap features 222 and 222′ as described above. The swimmer than can practice kick strokes while swimming in an aquatic environment and simultaneously move the boot structures 225 and 225′ through a range of angles, as indicated by 249, move the boot structures 225 and 25′ through a range of distances, as indicated by 247 and change the angles between the two blade portion 208 and 208′, as indicated by 241 and 241′.

The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention.

As such, references herein to specific embodiments and details thereof are not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mono-fin comprising boot structures with separated foot cavities for holding feet molded to a mono-fin structure near toe regions of the boot structures, the mono-fin structure being formed by two blade portions with a a flex region positioned between the two blade portions, wherein angles between the boot structures, distances between the boot structures and angles between the two blade portions are changeable while swimming.
 2. The mono-fin of claim 1, wherein the mono-fin is monolith and formed from one or more molded polymeric materials.
 3. The mono-fin of claim 1, further comprising strap features for securing the feet within the separate foot cavities.
 4. The mono-fin of claim 1, where in mono-fin structure has a valley or V-shaped indentation positioned between the blade portions and at the flex region.
 5. A mono-fin comprising: a) boot structures with separated cavities for holding feet with toes positioned in front regions of each of the boot structures and heels positioned at back regions of each of the boot structures; and b) a mono-fin structure molded to or near to the front regions of each of the boot structures, the mono-fin structures including two blade portions with a flex region positioned between the two blade portions wherein angles between the boot structures, distances between the boot structures and angles between the two blade portion are changeable while swimming in an aquatic environment.
 6. The mono-fin of claim 5, wherein the mono-fin structures is formed from one or more molded polymeric materials.
 7. The mono-fin of claim 5, further comprising strap features for securing the feet within the separate cavities.
 8. The mono-fin of claim 5, where in mono-fin structure has a valley or V-shaped indentation positioned in the flex region between the two baled portions.
 9. A mono-fin comprising: a) two separate boot structures for holding feet with toes positioned in front regions of each of the boot structures and heels positioned at back regions of each of the two separated boot structures; and b) a mono-fin structure molded to two separate boot structures as a monolithic unit, the mono-fin structures including a flex region between the two blade portions such angles between the two blade portions are changeable while swimming in and aquatic environment
 10. The mono-fin of claim 9, wherein the flex region in includes a valley or V-shaped indentation positioned between the two baled portions.
 11. The mono-fin of claim 9, further comprising strap features for securing the feet within the two separated boot structures.
 12. The mono-fin of claim 9, wherein the two blade portion are coupled through a living hinge in the flex region of the mono-fin structures. 